Armed robbery charge for boy, 11

Vince Rafaraci has encountered all manner of bandits in five robberies in the past six years. Some came armed with shotguns, others pistols and knives.

So the last thing the 27-year-old proprietor of Vee Jaes Italian restaurant at Ramsgate expected on Saturday was attempted robbery by an 11-year-old boy with hairdressing scissors.

"He was no higher than my waist, about 1.10 metres," Mr Rafaraci said. "To me he looked like he was six or seven years old."

The boy and a 15-year-old struck at the Rocky Point Road restaurant at 10pm. Mr Rafaraci said he was distressed that a child had tried to rob him.

"Of course, I was scared when the others happened, but this was different. When a 15-year-old or 11-year-old is threatening you with a weapon you don't know if they are joking or what is going on in their head, whether they really mean it," he said.");document.write("

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Mr Rafaraci said the boys were standing in the open forecourt of the restaurant peering in through the window when he saw them.

"I recognised them as the two boys who tried to open our till about six weeks ago ... but they ran away then. This time I went to the door ... and asked them if I could help them.

"The little one was polite at first and said: 'Can we have some money, we want some money.' I said 'I beg your pardon?' Then he got a bit stroppy. He said 'If you don't give me the money ...' He started to swear.

"I said, 'If you guys are hungry I'll give you something to eat, but I don't have money to give you'.

Then he pulled these scissors from his pocket, hairdresser cutting scissors, threatening to kill me."

Mr Rafaraci managed to back both boys into the forecourt. The older boy allegedly took the scissors and waved them over his head demanding cash.

"I wrestled them out of his hand then took him down the side of the restaurant to the kitchen. The younger boy followed, and the two chefs grabbed him and helped hold them until police came," he said.

"When the little boy saw them he grabbed a paling and was waving it around at this officer swearing at him. It took four cops to hold him and handcuff him."

Both boys, from San Souci, will appear in Sutherland Children's Court today charged with